Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech 09/02/06

Exhaustive, in-depth analysis. Not.

The primary matchup being discussed for today's game is Notre Dame's prolific offense and Georgia Tech's stingy defense. Experts have pointed out how good Georgia Tech was last year in stopping the run, as well as Tech defensive coordinator John Tenuta's penchant for frequent, unrelenting blitzes. The Yellow Jackets surrendered only 50 yds in a 23-14 win over #16 Auburn, and only 30 yards in a 14-10 win over #3 Miami. Overall, Tech was #11 nationally against the run.

However...

Tech was significantly less effective in defending the pass, ranking a respectable but much lower #36 nationally. Still, the combined rankings were enough to merit a #10 ranking nationally in total defense and #16 ranking nationally in scoring defense.

Aye, but here's the rub.

In the course of the 2005 season, Georgia Tech faced only two teams ranked in the top 50 in passing offense, beating unranked Clemson 10-9 (ranked #43 nationally) but losing to Utah 38-10 (ranked #15 nationally) in the Emerald Bowl; Utah rolled up 381 yds. and 4 tds through the air en route to the win. Meanwhile, Clemson was limited to just 180 passing yards but Tech surrendered 145 yards on the ground, including 128 to Clemson RB Reggie Merriweather.

Second-year head coach Charlie Weis has shown a propensity to "take what the other team gives [you]." An appropriate example would be the ND victory over BYU last year. Knowing that BYU was a top 50 team against the run (#46), ND relied almost purely on a passing attack, compiling 467 yards and 6 tds through the air in the 49-23 win. Meanwhile, ND all but abandoned the run, with only 44 yards on 23 attempts. Notre Dame finished the year ranked #3 nationally in passing offense.

Understandably, team personnel change from one season to the next, but both Notre Dame's offense and Georgia Tech's defense return some impact players on their respective units. Looking to prior-year comparisons is as good a gauge as any in this regard.

Georgia Tech stuffs ND's running game, but Quinn and his receivers find the holes again and again.

Notre Dame 35, Georgia Tech 16.